Biggest suspensions in NHL playoff history

Screengrab, Google Images04.16.2012

While it technically didn't occur in the playoffs, Maurice Richard's suspension near the end of the 1955 season remains one of most controversial in the history of the sport. The Rocket was suspended for 15 games (3 regular season games plus 12 playoff games) when he knocked out linesman Cliff Thompson during a fight with Hal Laycoe; this incident led to the Richard Riot.

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On April 15, 2012 the Rangers' Carl Hagelin was suspended for three games for elbowing the Senators' Daniel Alfredsson in the face.Screengrab
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On April 13, 1927, Billy Coutu of the Boston Bruins assaulted referee Jerry Laflamme, then tackled referee Billy Bell, eventually starting a bench-clearing brawl. This was apparently under the orders of his coach, Art Ross, following the end of the game and Boston's eventual defeat. Coutu's actions got him suspended from the NHL for life - usually a suspension levied in beer hockey leagues for serious misconducts. The NHL would lift his lifetime suspension two years later to allow Coutu to play in the minor leagues - but he would never play an NHL game again.Screengrab
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On April 12, 2012 the Canucks' Byron Bitz was suspended for two games for boarding the Kings' Kyle Clifford.Screengrab
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In March 2001 the Leaf's Tie Domi was suspended for 11 games (3 playoff games plus 8 regular season games) for elbowing Scott Niedermayer in the face.Screengrab
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On April 16, 2012 Pittsburgh's Craig Adams (left) was suspended one game for an instigator penalty in the last five minutes of a game against Philadelphia.Screengrab
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In May 1989 the Flyers' Ron Hextall was suspended for 12 games. The cantankerous goaltender, seen here fighting Maple Leafs goalie Felix Potvin, displayed his violent side during the final minutes of game six, skating out of his crease to attack Chris Chelios. Hextall claimed that the attack was in retaliation for Chelios' hit on Flyer Brian Propp in game one, when Chelios caught Flyer Propp with a "flying elbow" to the side of the head, rendering him unconscious.Screengrab
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On April 15, 2012 the Senators' Matt Carkner was suspended for one game for going after an unwilling Brian Boyle (New York Rangers).Screengrab
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In April 1993 the Capitals' Dale Hunter was suspended for 21 games (the incident occurred in Capitals' final playoff game; suspension carried over to first 21 games of next regular season) for a vicious cheap shot on Pierre Turgeon of the New York Islanders. After scoring a series-clinching goal during game six at Nassau Coliseum, Hunter checked Turgeon as he celebrated his goal. Turgeon suffered a separated shoulder. The Islanders star missed the ensuing series against the Penguins.Screengrab
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On April 16, 2012 the Senators' Zenon Konopka was fined US$2,500 for comments preceding the April 14 game vs. the Rangers.Screengrab
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On April 16, 2012 the Penguin's coach Dan Bylsma was fined US$10,000 for Craig Adams' instigator penalty in the last five minutes of a game.Screengrab
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On April 16, 2012 the Ottawa Senators were fined US$10,000 for Zenon Konopka's comments preceding an April 14 game vs. the New York Rangers.Screengrab
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In April 2002 the Lightning's Andre Roy (right) was suspended for 13 games for leaving the penalty box and physically abused a linesman while trying to start a fight with players in the New York Rangers penalty box.Screengrab
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In March 2011 the Penguins' Matt Cooke was suspended for 16 games (10 regular season games plus the first round of the playoffs) for elbowing the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh in the head.Screengrab
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On April 11, 2012 Nashville's Shea Weber was fined US$2,500 for an illegal hit to the head of Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg.Screengrab
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